Fatal stabbing suspect offers not guilty plea

SCOTT CITY KILLING

By Mark Bliss ~ Southeast Missourian

BENTON, Mo. -- An 18-year-old Scott City man, described by his attorney as a "poor, mixed up kid," pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday on charges that he murdered his stepfather.

Relatives of the murdered man complained that his wife, Amy Mayabb, was paying the legal bills for the defendant, Christopher L. Jones, who is her son.

"I'm mad. I'm furious about that," said Marilyn Schildt of Scott City, one of victim John David Mayabb's four sisters.

Relatives are angry with Amy Mayabb because they feel she hasn't been forthright with them about what she knows of the killing and events leading up to it.

"I want to know why he killed my brother," said Peggy Kelley of Killeen, Texas. She and Schildt came with their husbands to the Benton courthouse Tuesday for Jones' initial appearance.

Amy Mayabb, who has been staying at her parents' home near Marble Hill, Mo., since the murder, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Cape Girardeau lawyer Al Lowes, who is representing Jones, refused to say who was paying him.

"That, you don't get," Lowes said following Tuesday's hearing.

Murder charge

Jones is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the July 10 stabbing death of John David Mayabb, 48, at Mayabb's home in Scott City.

W. H. Winchester, an associate circuit judge in Scott County, set a preliminary hearing for Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. to determine if sufficient evidence exists for the case to go to trial. Associate Circuit Judge David Mann is scheduled to preside at the hearing in Benton.

Jones displayed no emotion and made no remarks as he and other prisoners clad in orange jumpsuits were escorted in handcuffs and chains from the court building to the county jail across the street. Jones has been held without bond since he was arrested a few blocks from the Mayabb home on the evening of July 10 shortly after the murder.

Schildt said she wants an opportunity to talk to Jones since she holds him responsible for her brother's death.

"I want to see Chris," she said, fidgeting with a cigarette as she tried to calm her nerves after the hearing.

Lowes met with Jones in the jail following the court proceeding.

Afterward, Lowes said he hadn't decided if he will seek a psychiatric evaluation for his client.

Lowes said it's too early to tell if he will seek to have the case moved to circuit court in another county because of all the news coverage of the crime. Lowes said he doesn't know if Jones could get a fair trial in Southeast Missouri.

"We will cross that bridge down the road," Lowes said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

had talked with Amy yesterday